Inspiration, ideas and information to help women build public speaking content, confidence and credibility. Denise Graveline is a Washington, DC-based speaker coach who has coached nearly 200 TEDMED and TEDx speakers--including one of 2016's most popular TED talks. She also has prepared speakers for presentations, testimony, and keynotes. She offers 1:1 coaching and group workshops in public speaking, presentation and media interview skills to both men and women.

Monday, January 10, 2011

In this New York Times blog post, "Are Your Messages Being Heard?," you'll find 7 concrete suggestions for how to make sure you get your point across or reach your target, from why you should smile to why the three-point message works:

There is evidence that humans can only accept seven bits of information in a moment. If you give us eight, we’ll reject them all (see “The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two,” a paper published in 1956 by George Miller, a Princeton professor). Three is holy — we can all remember three points.

The first suggestions, "ask for permission," might make women hesitate. After all, shouldn't women stop asking for permission to speak? But that point simply notes that you're asking whether the listener is willing to hear more. In that light, consider it a "check-in" with your listener. What do you think of these tips? Share your thoughts (and your own tips) in the comments.